USDOT shuts down 110 CDL schools for English proficiency violations

Federal transportation officials announced the closure of more than 100 truck driver training facilities for language violations as part of “a historic interagency effort to crack down on fraud in the trucking industry.”

On August 31, 2026, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced a series of actions to reduce trucking industry fraud, including “three enforcement actions to stop fraudulent commercial driver training and testing practices that have allowed drivers not proficient in English to operate commercial vehicles.”

BREAKING: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces an emergency executive shutdown of 110 driving schools tied to thousands of English proficiency violations.

"You have to speak English to operate a commercial motor vehicle."

Duffy says the schools account for 5,000… pic.twitter.com/EmGzehEICt

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 31, 2026

Feds Shutter Over 100 CDL Schools

USDOT said that more than 110 Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) providers would be ordered to immediately cease operations after being associated with 5,000 English Language Proficiency driver violations.

“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reviewed roadside inspection records for commercial drivers cited for not meeting English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements. The agency then compared those drivers with records in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) to identify training providers that repeatedly certified drivers who did not meet federal qualification standards,” officials explained. “These providers must immediately cease all operations as a training provider, including administering curricula, utilizing facilities for instruction, and conducting behind-the-wheel training.”

July Trucking School Investigation

Other actions taken by federal officials include a July 2026 FMCSA investigation of 400 ELDT providers resulting in more than 160 notices of proposed removals from FMCSA’s TPR.

Violations uncovered by the July investigation include:

• Inadequate Space: The range did not have adequate space to complete necessary maneuvers.
• Unlicensed Instructors: The instructor did not have the correct license to conduct the training.
• Missing Documentation: The facility did not maintain records of any assessments.
• Fraudulent Classrooms: The training provider claimed their classroom was inside of a school bus in the back of a trailer when asked about where their classroom instruction took place.

Skills Testers To Be Audited

FMCSA will also conduct a nationwide audit of third-party CDL skills testers, according to the Monday announcement.

“CDL skills tests must be given in English, yet more than 28,000 drivers have been placed out of service for ELP violations since June 2025, showing clear compliance failures among third-party testers and a failure by states to conduct effective oversight of the third-party testers. FMCSA can hold states accountable for authorizing testers who fail federal requirements,” said USDOT.

USDOT said that states with non-compliant CDL programs will face the following process, including possible decertification:

• Annual Program Review: FMCSA conducts a yearly review of each state’s CDL program.  
• Preliminary Finding: If deficiencies are found, FMCSA issues a formal notification of noncompliance to the state’s Governor and State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA).
• State’s Response Window: The state has 30 days to create a mutually agreed-upon Corrective Action Plan (CAP) detailing how it will fix the issues.
• Final Determination & Consequences: If the state fails to correct the problems, FMCSA issues a final determination of substantial noncompliance. This triggers a mandatory withholding of federal highway funds, starting at up to 4% in the first year and increasing to 8% for each subsequent year of noncompliance.
• Decertification: For serious issues, FMCSA may begin the decertification process. A decertified state cannot issue, renew, transfer, or upgrade any CDLs.

Task Force Assembled

Officials also announced the formation of the “Joint Task Force Crossroads of America,” a partnership between local, state, and federal agencies to “target criminal networks and fraud to reduce highway fatalities and protect Americans.”

The Task Force will also target border security.

Homeland Security CDL School Surge

Also announced was an August 31 Homeland Security Investigations “synchronized surge at more than 200 driving schools across 23 Special Agent in Charge offices, targeting CDL-related businesses, schools, carriers, and employers.”

Officials say this activity will result in Notice of Inspections served across 23 states.

What Are They Saying?

Trucking industry groups and federal authorities spoke out about the efforts to crack down on fraud announced on Monday.

“Nobody cares more about highway safety than professional truck drivers and it is basic common sense that anyone operating an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle on public roadways should be properly trained, able to read critical road signs, follow emergency instructions, and communicate with law enforcement and first responders in English. OOIDA and professional truck drivers across America commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Barrs for taking concrete actions to crack down on fraudulent training operations and restore rigorous English language proficiency enforcement. Congress must now do its part and pass Dalilah’s Law to ensure CDL mills remain closed and English language proficiency enforcement is permanently made the law of the land,” said Todd Spencer, President, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

“USDOT has spent the last year-and-a-half strengthening the rules of the road and removing dangerous foreign drivers from our trucking industry,” said Duffy. “To fully root out the scourge of fraud, hold criminals accountable, and restore safety, we need the support of federal law enforcement. I am so grateful for President Trump  raising the alarm on this issue, and to Vice President Vance for leading the charge to crack down on fraud nationwide. From states failing to follow the law to shady training schools and illicit companies, together we will tackle every link in the chain.”

“Criminals who exploit our nation’s transportation systems through fraud and deception are not only breaking the law–they are putting the safety and security of the American public at risk,” said Homeland Security Investigations Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “HSI will bring the full weight of our investigative authorities, financial expertise and global law enforcement capabilities to this historic, whole-of-government effort. Alongside our federal partners we will aggressively pursue the individuals and criminal networks that use fraudulent documents, illicit financial schemes and other unlawful means to circumvent our laws and profit at the expense of public safety.”

“The safety of American roadways affects everyone across the country,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Foreigners and illegal aliens have exploited America’s trucking industry, often putting unqualified, improperly trained, non-English speaking drivers on our highways. Some may be hauling drugs or weapons for international crimes networks. The drivers and companies that allow for this dangerous activity will no longer get a pass. The Department of Justice is proud to join federal, state, and local partners in Joint Task Force Crossroads for America to dismantle the fraud schemes harming American truckers, drivers and community safety. Together, we will prosecute culprits, and protect America’s roads.”